Performance and Monitoring

The Performance Monitoring Tool(PMT) 2009 is essentially a tool to capture data from an institution’s accounting and portfolio system via an input form or an import function; based on this data it creates financial reports and ratios to be used by an institution’s management. It is not a comprehensive Management Information System, and shouldn’t be seen as a substitute for this. However, it collects, stores and computes key financial data in a systematic way providing value for any financial institution.

The purpose of the PMT is to enable MDIs, MFIs, SACCOs and financial institutions involved in microfinance to self monitor, report and receive feedback on their progress against relevant performance standards and peer groups in a coherent and transparent way. This will contribute to improved risk management and promote adherence to minimum requirements and good practices within the entire industry, thus improving financial services available to existing as well as prospective clients. While saving valuable time spent on reporting for the various financial institutions, this will also ensure the availability of more comprehensive and accurate information on the sector, and serve as a cornerstone for regulation and policy making for Uganda’s financial system as a whole.

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Uganda voluntarily use the PMT to report on their financial performance. The tool captures data from an institution’s accounting and portfolio reports, then aggregates this data to produce meaningful information that is easy for board members, staff, and other key stakeholders to understand and interpret. Once AMFIU receives an organization’s data from the PMT, it is stored in the central database, the PMS, for further analysis.

Key Developments

In 2015, AMFIU held the first ever Transparency Awards for the Ugandan microfinance sector. Financial Reporting still stands as an important aspect in the growth and development of the microfinance industry. The popularity of the PMT has increased in the microfinance industry not only in Uganda but also in Rwanda and soon to be in Sudan, Kenya and Tanzania. To appreciate the users and to encourage the non-users, AMFIU held the "AMFIU TRANSPARENCY AWARDS" for the first time ever during the national Microfinance conference in January 2015.Institutions were awarded on the basis of best performing in terms of ( profitability, efficiency, liquidity and portfolio quality) and best reporting( Consistent and on time). A total of 26 institutions were awarded both PMT and SPM awards combined. Since then, this activity has continued to be on the AMFIU calendar annually.

AMFIU believes that it is not only important to make information available, but also to use and publish this information so that it is relevant and accessible. Against this background, AMFIU, with support from SEEP and the Rural Financial Service Program, produced the first-ever industry-wide report on the microfinance sector in Uganda using the PMT (The State of Microfinance in Uganda 2012/2013).The report presents the information in plain and easily-comprehensible language and in a format appropriate for a variety of stakeholders.

The Second edition of the report, The state of the Microfinance in Uganda 2014/2015 is also available for download.

Using the combined PMS and PMT, AMFIU aims to increase MFI transparency, and hence accountability. Ultimately, these help to bring the best microfinance services to the people of Uganda.

AMFIU is the custodian of the Performance Monitoring Tool

Here is a manual of the PMT as a PDF download.

Download the PMT Installation package here

The data is then aggregated using the Performance Monitoring System (PMS). Click here for more information about PMS.